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NEPA – What is an EIS?
NEPA – What is an EIS? PDF Print E-mail
Monday, 26 November 2007 20:26
NEPA – What is an EIS?
by: John Stewart
Natural Resources Consultant
California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) assures that federal agencies will consider the impact of an action on the human environment before decisions are made and the action is taken. It requires that NEPA documents concentrate on issues that are significant to the action in question. The NEPA process is intended to help public officials make better decisions based on an understanding of environmental consequences, and take actions that protect, restore, and enhance the human environment.

In accordance with the NEPA Process, the agency conducts an interdisciplinary review of the environmental effects of the proposal so that the relevant environmental information is available to citizens and public officials. Major federal actions that may significantly affect the human environment require that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be prepared. The EIS process includes a formal public involvement process.

"EIS" is the abbreviation for environmental impact statement, a document prepared to describe the effects of proposed activities on the environment.

"Environment" is defined as the natural and physical environment and the relationship of people with that environment. This means that the "environment" considered in an EIS includes land, water, air, structures, living organisms, environmental values at the site, and social, cultural, and economic factors.

An "impact" is a change or consequence that results from an activity. Impacts can be positive or negative, or both. An EIS describes impacts, as well as ways to "mitigate" impacts. To "mitigate" means to lessen or remove negative impacts.

Therefore, an EIS, is a document that describes the impacts on the environment as a result of a proposed action. It also describes impacts of alternatives, as well as plans to mitigate the impacts.

What is a Programmatic EIS?
A Programmatic EIS evaluates the environmental impacts of broad agency actions such as the setting of national policies or the development of programs.

A Programatic EIS is general in nature and describes guidelines for site specific evaluations and management decision.
 
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